Death toll from Black Sea floods rises to 78, expected to increase further

Photo: AA

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The death toll rose to 78 from floods in Turkey's Black Sea region, the Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) has announced.

Heavy rain hit the region in the north of the country on August 11, leaving 62 people dead in the Bozkurt district of Kastamonu province, according to the AFAD.

Fourteen others died in Sinop province, along with one person in Bartın province. Seven victims are being treated at hospitals, it said.

The death toll is expected to increase further as it was announced yesterday that 47 people were reported missing in Sinop and Kastamonu.

A total of 341 people in Bartın, 1,480 in Kastamonu and 560 in Sinop were evacuated, said the AFAD.

Rescue and relief efforts continue in flood-hit areas with 8,100 personnel, 1,000 vehicles, 21 helicopters and 81 ambulances.

Visiting Kastamonu's Bozkurt district on August 12, Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu said it was "the worst flood disaster I have ever seen."

Bozkurt district was split into two and transportation between the two parts had not been possible for hours, he had said. (KÖ/VK)